A boat carrying 70 people capsized in a river in northwestern Nigeria’s Zamfara state, local authorities said Saturday (14). At least 64 passengers are missing.
The accident occurred as farmers were returning to their homes in Gummi town on Saturday morning.
Local authorities quickly mobilized residents for a rescue operation and after three hours, six survivors were pulled from the water.
“This is the second time an incident of this kind has occurred in Gummi local government area,” said Aminu Nuhu Falale, a local administrator who led the rescue efforts.
He said emergency crews were stepping up their search in hopes of finding more survivors.
More than 900 farmers rely on crossing the river daily to access their land, but only two boats are available, often leading to overcrowding, the local authority said.
Zamfara state, already overrun by criminal gangs seeking control of mineral resources, has also been severely affected by flooding caused by heavy rains.
Two weeks ago, floods displaced more than 10,000 residents, local authorities said.
This content was originally published in Authorities in Nigeria search for 64 people after shipwreck on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
